Finland defeated the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off in Tampere on Friday.
The match, played during a heavy snowstorm, leaves the tie poised ahead of the second leg in Cork on Tuesday. Onni Helen scored the decisive goal with a header just before the half-time break after weather-related disruptions.
Severe weather conditions heavily impacted the proceedings at the Tammelan Stadion. RTÉ reported that a snow plough was required to facilitate the start of the second half after a delay of nearly an hour.
The match was also interrupted during the first half when officials halted play to allow ground staff to clear the pitch markings as snow covered the lines, according to the Football Association of Ireland.
While the pitch was clear at kick-off, temperatures plummeted and snow became increasingly heavy. The halftime interval was eventually extended to 40 minutes as stadium staff used a tractor to clear the majority of the snow, Balls noted.
A narrow defeat in Finland. Ready to give it our all in Cork on Tuesday with a place at next summer’s EURO’s on the line ☘️ 🎟️ https://t.co/lSnXt6VCmG pic.twitter.com/MQzDaONtWw
Finland exerted pressure early, with Alex Murphy intervening to stop a Liam Moller cross near the opening minutes. However, the hosts broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time when substitute Helen headed home a delivery from Moller, the Football Association of Ireland reported.
Ireland had a goal disallowed for offside shortly before the Finnish strike, as Owen Elding’s headed finish was ruled out, BBC reported.
In the second half, Ireland missed several opportunities to level the score. Jamie Mullins hit the crossbar with a header following a Trent Kone-Doherty cross, and Elding’s subsequent rebound was cleared off the line by Matias Siltanen, the FAI stated.
Ireland also saw substitute Matteo Egan miss a chance to equalize after being played through by Mullins. Earlier in the half, goalkeeper Noah Jauny was forced to make saves against both Helen and a header from Samuli Miettinen, while Ilari Kangasniemi hit the side netting.
“The younger players that come in can manage the occasion, no problem,” Crawford said, The Irish Times reported.
Back in action in Tampere ☘️ 🇫🇮 1-0 🇮🇪 👉 Virgin Media Two / Virgin Media Play pic.twitter.com/xfpjJ3tckp
“The vibe in camp has been very good and very positive, and that comes from winning games,” goalkeeper Noah Jauny said.
“They're fearless in their own way. I think that's what you get with young players that they have that sort of thing about them that they'll go after whatever you ask from them,” Crawford said.
Jim Crawford said that if they could deliver on their principles, they should be in a good place going into the second leg.
The return leg will take place in Ireland to determine which team advances to the European Under-21 Championship finals.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at Turners Cross Stadium in Cork. Galway Bay FM reports that the second leg will kick off at 5:45 pm. More than 3,500 tickets have already been secured for the match at the Munster FA Turners Cross Stadium.
Ireland manager Crawford said that while the first leg is a setback, "what we know is come full-time [on Friday], it’s half-time in the tie." He emphasized the upcoming game in Cork, stating, “We will be hoping for a huge crowd behind us because we need all the support we can get to over the line and get to a European Finals.”